IDC connector

Abstract

An electrical connector assembly for connecting of a flexible cable to a PCB comprises an elongate cover, an elongate electrical connector and an elongate header. The electrical connector includes an insulative housing and a plurality of terminals retained in the housing. The cover forms a pair of latching arms on opposite ends thereof. Each latching arm forms a hook portion. A plurality of parallel grooves is defined in a bottom surface of the cover. The header includes a shrouded housing and a plurality of contacts retained in the housing for engaging with the terminals of the electrical connector. A cutout is formed in each lateral surface of the shrouded housing.

What is claim is:  
     
       1. An electrical connector assembly for interconnecting a flexible cable and a PCB, comprising: 
       a header including a shrouded insulative housing and a plurality of contacts retained in the housing;  
       an electrical connector including an insulative housing and a plurality of terminals retained in the housing, each terminal including a pair of beams for terminating conductive wires of the flexible cable and a mating end opposite the beams for engaging with the contacts of the header; and  
       a cover including a body and a pair of latching arms formed on two opposite ends of the body, each latching arm having first latching means for securely engaging with the header, second latching means being formed on the cover for securely engaging with the electrical connector, the body defining a plurality of grooves for pressing against wires of the flexible cable to engage with the terminals of the electrical connector;  
       wherein the first latching means of each latching arm of the cover includes a hook portion for engaging with an upper edge of a cutout defined in a corresponding end of the housing of the header;  
       wherein the second latching means includes a pair of latching plates and a latching bar formed therebetween;  
       wherein the housing of the electrical connector defines a recess in an end thereof and forms an engaging block projecting into the recess for engaging with the latching bar;  
       wherein a yoke is formed proximate the recess and defines a tunnel in communication with the recess for allowing extension of the latching plates therethrough;  
       wherein the body of the cover defines a plurality of apertures proximate corresponding slots for reliably receiving and properly positioning the beams of the terminals;  
       wherein the cover forms a hinge between each latching arm and the body;  
       wherein a slit is defined in each hinge for providing the hinge with resiliency.